Estate Cabernet Franc - Reyneke

In the glass, Estate Cabernet Franc - Reyneke presents itself in a deep ruby red with violet reflections, dense and gleaming. Already with the first swirl, a fine, complex bouquet rises from the Burgundy glass. Ripe raspberries and sour cherries meet dark forest berries, joined by tobacco, a hint of graphite and fine herbal spice. Undertones of cedarwood, cocoa and some dried blossoms lend the nose additional depth and elegance.

On the palate, this pure Cabernet Franc shows itself concentrated and at the same time precise. The dense texture lays itself velvety over the tongue, carried by fresh, energetic acidity. Fine-grained, ripe tannins provide structure and length without ever seeming edgy. The fruit once again recalls raspberry and sour cherry, now accompanied by notes of blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and a hint of roasted aromas. A subtly mineral impression from Stellenbosch runs from the first sip through to the long, persistent finish.

• Wine color: intense ruby red with violet shimmer
• Aromas: raspberry, sour cherry, dark berries, tobacco, spices
• Texture: dense, silky, structured
• Taste: dry, precise, long-lasting
• Style: characterful New World red wine with European finesse

The acidity appears lively and perfectly integrated, it carries the fruit and lends the wine tension. The tannin appears ripe and polished, providing grip and wonderful length. On the palate, an exciting interplay of freshness, spice and ripe fruit unfolds, ending in an expressive, spicy-fruity aftertaste.

The Cabernet Franc grape variety comes from the best sites in the subregion of Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape. The climate there, with warm days and cooling winds from the Atlantic, produces grapes with intense aromatics and clear structure. The biodynamic cultivation of the vineyards at Reyneke enhances the origin-driven character of each vintage and allows the grape variety to appear authentic.

1. Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Franc, vinified as a single variety
2. Origin: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
3. Style: dense, elegant, precise, terroir-driven
4. Maturation: concrete and barrique for depth and balance

Production of the Estate Cabernet Franc from Reyneke

The grapes for Estate Cabernet Franc - Reyneke come from carefully tended, biodynamically certified vineyards in the heart of Stellenbosch. The combination of a Mediterranean-influenced climate, abundant sunshine and cooling breezes from the Atlantic and False Bay gives the vines ideal conditions for aromatic, perfectly ripened grapes. Different soil types, including decomposed granite and clay deposits, provide additional complexity and lend the wine its distinctive mineral character.

Meticulous manual work is carried out in the vineyard. Yield reduction through careful canopy management and bunch selection in summer produces small, concentrated berries. Harvesting is done exclusively by hand, parcel by parcel, at the ideal point of ripeness so that only the best grapes reach the cellar. The helpers already sort in the vineyard, and further sorting takes place on the sorting table in the cellar.

After gentle destemming and crushing, the harvest goes into concrete tanks, where fermentation starts spontaneously with natural vineyard yeasts. Controlled fermentation temperature preserves the clear fruit and allows finely tuned extraction of color, tannin and aroma. Careful pump-overs promote structure and fullness without overloading the tannins.

Afterwards, the wine matures for around 16 months in a combination of concrete tanks and 225-liter barriques. The concrete tank preserves the clarity of the fruit and the purist orientation, while the barriques contribute subtle toasted notes, delicate hints of vanilla and spice, as well as additional texture. Some of the barrels are used barrels, ensuring that the use of oak always remains elegant and never dominant.

The winemaker’s style is focused on maximum authenticity. Every intervention in the cellar is carried out with the greatest restraint so that the character of the grape variety and the terroir reaches the glass unadulterated. Filtration and fining are carried out, if at all, very sparingly in order to fully preserve depth, concentration and complexity. In this way, a Cabernet Franc is created that clearly expresses Reyneke’s signature.

Enjoyment recommendations for Estate Cabernet Franc - Reyneke

Estate Cabernet Franc - Reyneke accompanies dark dishes with impressive poise. Robust meat dishes harmonize excellently with the dense structure and pronounced fruit. Spicy compositions from modern cuisine are also extremely appealing, especially in combination with herbs and roasted aromas.

• Ideal companion to braised beef, leg of lamb or game ragout
• Excellent with grilled entrecôte with herb crust
• Perfect complement to matured hard cheese or robust mountain cheese
• Exciting with dark, spicy vegetable dishes with mushrooms

For food pairing, dark dishes take center stage, preferably with intense sauces, roasted aromas and deep umami notes. The wine is an excellent match for festive menus, elegant dinner evenings or special occasions where a characterful red wine is the focus. Even in a small circle, during a relaxed evening with friends and good music, this Cabernet Franc unfolds its full fascination.

For optimal enjoyment, a serving temperature of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius is recommended, ideally in a Burgundy glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes before drinking gives the wine additional air and opens up its complex aromatics. In a well-tempered, dark storage with a constant environment, the wine unfolds its potential over several years and gains in depth, finesse and harmony.

Whether as a refined accompaniment to a multi-course menu, as the highlight of a wine evening or as a sophisticated gift for lovers of South African red wines, this Cabernet Franc offers character, elegance and impressive expressiveness in every bottle.

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